Relationship between socio-demographic, clinical factors, and quality of life in adults living with diabetic nephropathy

Objective: The study determines the relationship between the socio-demographic, clinical factors and quality of life among adults with diabetic nephropathy and undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted among adults diagnosed with diabetic nephropathy receiving hemodialysis in a dialysis unit. The kidney specific quality of life and the general quality of life (KDQOL-SF) was used to collect data between January 2015 to July 2016. A hundred and forty participants completed the survey from the selected sample of 185 adults. Results: Adults with complex comorbidities, stage 3, 4 and 5 chronic kidney disease, higher body mass index, and uncontrolled glycemic control were significantly associated with lower quality of life, physical and mental component summary scores. Conclusions: Poor physical functioning, role-physical, body pain, role-emotional, emotional well-being, general health, mental health scores significantly affected the quality of life in high-risk adults with diabetic nephropathy. The study demonstrated the significance of patient reported outcomes for adults with diabetic nephropathy and planning healthy lifestyle changes to improve the quality of life.